Meeting for the second time in a major college football bowl game during the 2024 calendar year, Michigan and Alabama met again Tuesday, but on an undercard.
Last Jan. 1, the two programs met in the Rose Bowl, which also served as a College Football Playoff semifinal matchup. The Wolverines clinched that victory over the Crimson Tide on a fourth-down stop.
On a smaller stage Tuesday, a nearly identical situation developed during the ReliaQuest Bowl and Alabama quarterback Jalen Milroe failed to deliver after the offense struggled early in the 19-13 loss to the Wolverines on Tuesday. At one point in the second quarter, Michigan kicker Dominic Zvada compiled 10 points, while Alabama generated minus-11 yards of offense.
The Crimson Tide finished the season 9-4 with three losses coming to teams with a combined 21-18 record. The Wolverines, who won their final three games, ended 8-6.
X (Twitter) fans react to the Crimson Tide playing like they were overmatched by Michigan’s mostly second-unit defense and still believing they should have been among the CFP’s 12-team playoff …
Still think Alabama should have made the College Football Playoff? pic.twitter.com/Vr2hNH6pK4
— FanDuel (@FanDuel) December 31, 2024
The defending national champions, Michigan finished with a confetti shower – again – but on a smaller scale …
Closing out 2024 just like we started it: confetti falling after a @UMichFootball win over Alabama.
It's great to be a Michigan Wolverine! pic.twitter.com/pOARJxrwSQ
— Alumni Association of the University of Michigan (@michiganalumni) December 31, 2024
Zvada opened the scoring …
Dominic Zvada hits a 45-yard field goal and Michigan grabs a 3-0 lead on Alabama pic.twitter.com/nAu5hfbldl
— Brad Galli (@BradGalli) December 31, 2024
Following a 30-yarder, Zvada, who will return in 2025, connected on two early field goals. The series started on Alabama’s 19-yard line. Michigan decided against going for a fourth-and-three play and settled for three points …
Leg of Dominic Zvada 🤝🏼 Leg of Jake Bates
Carrying football teams in the State of Michigan in 2024.#MichiganVsEverybody #DetroitVsEverybody #GoBlue #OnePride pic.twitter.com/WIhk4JLjHw
— Sav (@_Savannah96) December 31, 2024
Alabama’s troubles continued. While the players struggled to keep their second-quarter footing on the soggy Raymond James Stadium field, the Wolverines scored their lone first-half touchdown …
Hell of a catch by Frederick Moore.
13-0 Michigan. pic.twitter.com/JrMGV8wEek— Due# (@JDue51) December 31, 2024
Bad start for ‘Bama …
Alabama went scoreless and committed three turnovers in the first quarter 😱 pic.twitter.com/3h5tIrD23L
— ESPN (@espn) December 31, 2024
Midway through the second quarter, the Crimson Tide compiled more turnovers (3) than total yards (2). They finally converted on their seventh series, scoring on Milroe’s 25-yard TD pass to Robbie Ouzts with 4:06 left in the first half …
Looks Like Alabama is back in this game.#RollTide @AlabamaFTBL
— The Voice of College Football Network (@TheVOCFB) December 31, 2024
Despite playing one of the worst quarters and a half in program history, the Crimson Tide converted a late field goal to pull to within 16-10. ‘Bama, which faced a third-and-one play deep inside its territory and appeared complacent to run out the clock, benefitted from Michigan calling a timeout with 37 seconds remaining and two big plays …
It's GOOD! 🙌@gnicholson99
2nd Q Bama 10 | Michigan 16 pic.twitter.com/orrOPCs5US
— Alabama Football (@AlabamaFTBL) December 31, 2024
After the teams swapped fourth-quarter field goals, Alabama’s defense forced a three-and-out with 2:18 to go. On the possible final drive of Milroe’s college career, the potential NFL first-round draft pick failed to deliver on fourth down – again …
A 4th down stop against Alabama to seal the win? We've done that before 😏#GoBlue pic.twitter.com/4w4rPXnMHW
— Michigan Football (@UMichFootball) December 31, 2024
One college football fan enjoyed his – and Michigan’s – moment, the game-clinching, fourth-down stop …
I made it on tv lfg #GoBlue #MichiganFootball pic.twitter.com/yZRBcJ5iH4
— Tommy Welte〽️ (@ttommywelte) December 31, 2024
Alabama coach Kalen DeBoer may endure a long offseason …
First seasons by Alabama football coaches last century, based on win %
1. Frank Thomas: 9-1 (.90)
2. Wallace Wade: 7-2-1 (.75)
3. Red Drew: 8-3 (.73)
4. Kalen DeBoer: 9-4 (.69)
5. Ray Perkins: 8-4 (.67)
6. Bill Curry: 7-5 (.58)
Dennis Franchione: 7-5 (.58)
Gene Stallings: 7-5…— Nick Kelly (@_NickKelly) December 31, 2024
Michigan coach Sharrone Moore, on the other hand, could embrace the time before freshman QB Bryce Underwood takes the field for spring practice …
I know the season didn’t go the way fans hoped. But Michigan Football still had some big wins on and off the field this year:
• Beat their rivals:
– Michigan St.
– Ohio Bucknuts• Beat Alabama twice
• Bryce Underwood Commitment
• Dismissed Kirk Campbell #GoBlue pic.twitter.com/j8czTTQoIr
— Brandon Dent | @WoodwardSports #DetroitKoolAid (@DetroitKoolAid) December 31, 2024
Final score: Michigan 19, Alabama 13 …
Michigan started the 2024 calendar year with a win over Alabama and ends the year with a win over Alabama‼️ pic.twitter.com/xT4cHHnLyO
— ESPN (@espn) December 31, 2024
